Method of making watchcases



.Junel BO, 1.931. E s, lm :LAN 1,812,150

METHOD OF MAKING WATCHCASES Filed Feb.l 27, 1930 Patented June 30, 193,1'

" UNITEUSITATES ELLIsON s. IBELAN, OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR Tov ILLINOIS WAT'CII OASI,`A COM- l PANY, OINELGIN, ILLINOIS, Ajcorgzronnrron Yor ILLINOIS' K METHOD OF MAKING wnronchsns Application mea February" 27, leso. seriai'No. 431,769.

y This invention relates to watch cases and methods of manufacturing same. i

While the invention isV particularly applicable to watch case bezels, and will be described in connection therewith, it is to be understood that it isnot limited thereto since it is equally applicable to'. the backs of watches as well as other' metal containers of like characten e f The invention will be readily understoodr from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying' drawings, inwhich l j Y y.

Figure 1 isa-perspective view on an en- 15 larged scaley of a ybezel in an early stage lof,f

manufacture, Y, 1 f Fig. 2 is an inverted plan View of the bezel in the next stage of manufacture, w K Fig. 3 is a planrview of the bezel in a subsequent stage of manufacture,

Fig. l is an inverted planview ofthe bezel" showninFig-3, Y I e f Fig. v5 is a'section on the line 5 of Fig.` 4:, Fig. Gis an end View of the bezel ina later stage of manufacture, f n f Y Fig. 7 is a section of the bezel in aljstill later l stage of manufacture and on a'still' larger t scale, and f l Fig. 8 is a similar view-ofthe finished bezel. Referring to the drawings,zthe bezel10 is formed intoa cup from ar blank by Va suitable die pressing operation which draws the ends l1 leaving the sides 12 of the thickness` ofthe Original stock asshown in Fig. 1.V AThestock y i yof the ends l1 may, for example, be drawn from 0.038 to 0.015 inch. The stock lmay suitably be rfilled gold, the gold side being on the exterior ofthe cup. y

An opening 13 is V,next stamped'in the face of the bezel 10 vas shown in' Fig, 2. By subsequent die 'operations the face. of the bezel is pressed into desired exterior form as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. `Any desired ornamenta-- tion may be impressed thereon in known manner, if desired. These operations also V.result in the formationof a seat 14C forthe reception of a crystal, and theformation and drawing of Vthe vrefiector 15 to engage the rear face of the crystal at its edges. At the same time, pressure is appliedto the `edges of the pressings.

an upstanding edge 16. f Y

The ends 11 and sides 12 are now trimmed" even, and` grooves'l aremilled through the endsll, which cut away the inner edges of'v sides l12:;to cause the metalto flowfso as to thicken same. Thus, foraexanmple, the sides sides 12sothat thegoldfilled exterior sur! face is substantially unchangedandforms the sides 1,2as show-'n in Figf, accurately machining the inner side of the'upstanding edge 16 vand 'forming-machined shouldersy on the innerportions'of'the edges.

The Yupstanding edges 16 are Abent Vinwardly loverL the shoulders 181to bring theire-Xterior `goldsurface overvthe ledges of thefsides 12 y as shown in Fig. 7. These sides 12`are's`ubljected topressure tofsolidify their edges. f

Theedgesvo-f the endsll are trimmed and themseat' 14 is trimmed asshownin Fig. 8, Aleaving asmall horizontal face 1-9 adapted `tofengageth'e rear; edge of thegcrystaly and a A`vertical facel20.V

4 The bezelth-us produced possesses stout sides 12, the edges of which are covered with 1 gold oro'ther` coating carried by thel exterior of the, bezel. e The bezel,V may, be secured. toa watch back in such `a manner that the edges of the sides 12 vare exposed to ViewA without The ends thin springyso that may bey secured to the bezel 10 in any known 12 may be successively increased .fromy 0.088

to 0.045 and to" 0.050 inch in successive This pressure, is principallyl applied to the inner portion of the edge of the I detracting from` the pleasingappearanceof v.the watch;

onV other or'suitableway and th'ateit maybe ornamented or finished in any desired way.

1 wWhile thejinvention has been disclosed` connection with the details `of arspeciic em- Y Abodiment thereof, itmustbe understood that such details are not intended tofbe limitative of the inve the accompanying claims.

'I' claim:

1, Thev methodof producinglwatchlcase ntion except insofar as included in members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends thereof, and setting the sides to increased thickness and forcing surface metal over the ends of. said sides.

2. The method of producing Watch case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends thereof and setting the sides to increased thickness, removing meta-l from the inner portions of the edges of said sides, and bending the eX- terior surface metal thereover.

3. The method of producing Watch case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends thereof and subjecting the sides to pressure to increase the thickness thereof, said pressure being applied principally upon the inner portions of the edges of said sides so that the eX- terior surface metal projects above the inner portions of the edges, and forcing exterior surface metal thereover.

4:. The method of producing Watch case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends thereof and setting the sides thereof to increase the thickness thereof, milling through the ends and along the inner sides of the edges of the sides and forcing the surface metal of the edges of the sides over the milled portions thereof.

5. The method of producing Watch case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends and setting the sides to increased thickness, trimming the edges of the sides and ends, milling` through the ends and along the inner sides of the edges of the sides, and bending the eX- terior surface metal over said edges.

6. The method of producing WatchV case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, drawing the ends thereof and subjecting the sides to pressure to increase the thickness thereof, said pressure being applied principally upon the inner portions of the edges of said sides so that the exterior surface metal projects above the inner portions of the edges, machining the inner portions of said edges and forcing the eX- terior surface metal thereover.

7. The method of producing Watch case members which consists in forming a blank into a cup shape, subjecting the sides thereof to pressure to increase the thickness thereof, said pressure being applied principally upon the inner portions of the edges of said sides so that the exterior surface meta-l projects above said inner portions, and forcing the exterior surface metal thereover.

In testimony whereof, l have hereunto set my hand this 2st day of February, 1930.

ELLISON S. IRELAN. 

